Chapter Text
“Guys, I swear, I'm fine. There's no need for all the- OW.” Riley winced as he moved the wrong way, upsetting his bruised, possibly broken, ribs. He was being carried into the lab by Tyler and Chase who were worried to say the least. Koda and Shelby were already getting the couch ready for him, fluffing pillows and unfolding blankets. Kendall was rushing forward to meet them, a fist-aid kit in her hands.
“What you did today was incredibly foolish, Riley. You could have gotten yourself killed.” she scolded, gesturing for Chase and Tyler to sit the youngest ranger on the couch. The green ranger lowered his eyes, biting back yelps of pain as his friends sat him down as gently as they could.
“What the hell were you thinking, Riley?” Chase asked, more angry than worried. During their last battle with one of Sledge's monsters, Chase had taken a bad hit and had been demorphed. The monster was about to deliver a deadly blow, but Riley had jumped in front of him, guarding him with his body, and was knocked unconscious. “Why would you put yourself in danger like that?”
“I was just trying to protect you.” the green ranger mumbled, not use to seeing his friend so upset, let alone at him. Chase's face softened a bit as he knelt down in front of Riley. The others could tell that things were about to get personal so they backed off to give the two of them some space. Chase laid his hand on Riley's knee.
“Riley, if protecting me means putting yourself in danger, then I don't want you to do it. Okay? I'm not worth you getting killed. I'm not worth it.” he told him, his hazel eyes glistening as he was on the verge of tears. Chase quickly wiped his face, refusing to let anybody see him cry, especially Riley.
“Chase, of course you're worth it. You're my best friend.” the younger boy told him, grabbing his hand. Chase sniffed and quickly rose to his feet.
“Why don't you go ahead and take of your shirt so we can patch you up?” he asked, avoiding the topic. He rushed over to get the first aid kit from Kendall while Shelby ran over and help the youngest ranger pull off his tattered green sweater. Riley couldn't help but blush. He had had a crush on Chase for months and he wasn't sure he was comfortable letting the New Zealander see him shirtless.
Chase and the others came back over, the black ranger's face paling when he saw the bruised and scrapped up mess of his friend's chest and abdomen. He clenched his jaw and began to dab antibacterial ointment one the open wounds. Chase felt sick to his stomach when Riley hissed in pain.
“Chase?” Tyler whispered in Chase's ear, putting a comforting hand on his back. Chase tried to focus on taping a bandage down but didn't want to touch Riley in fear of causing him more pain.
“Hm?”
“You're hands are shaking.” Tyler told him, gently taking the bandage from his trembling hands. “Its okay, dude. We got this. Why don't you go get him a clean pair of clothes?”
“Yeah, uh, okay. Yeah, you're right. I'll, uh, be right back, Ri.” Chase muttered, wiping at his face and rising to his feet. As he disappeared into Koda's cave, where the entire team kept spare clothes, Riley stared longingly after him.
“I've never seen him so mad.” he winced as Tyler taped down the bandage. Kendall shook her head.
“Riley, Chase isn't mad. He's scared.” she explained, passing Tyler another bandage. “He was terrified that he was going to loose you today.”
“When you were knocked out, Chase went crazy and destroyed the monster with even morphing. It was kind of scary.” Shelby told him, holding his hand, not caring when he squeezed her hand tight in pain.
“Chase cried.” Koda voiced. Riley stared up at the blue ranger in shock.
“Chase never cries. I mean, we've only seen him cry once and I doubt he'd cry over me getting hurt.” Riley told them, yelping when another sting of ointment made him jump.
“Riley, for such a smart kid, you can be a real idiot.” Tyler chuckled, taping down another bandage. The red ranger shook his head and sighed, “You're the only one who cant see it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Riley, I've known Chase for a year and a half. Do you know how many people he's ever cried over?” Kendall asked. Riley shrugged. Kendall formed a zero with her hand. “Nobody. Chase's mother died when he was young and his father walked out on him when he was sixteen. Ever since then, he's never allowed anyone to get close to him because he doesn't want to get hurt again. This team is the closest thing he has to a family and you're the only person that has ever gotten through the walls he put up.”
Riley still looked confused. Koda scoffed and said, “Chase loves you.”
“What?” Riley asked in shock. He shook his head, thinking that maybe his friends were playing a cruel trick on him. “But, Chase likes girls. I mean, he flirts with girls all the time.”
“Wow, you are an idiot, Ri. There's a thing called being bisexual.” Shelby scoffed, quieting when Chase ran back into the room, Riley's spare clothes clutched in his hand. Although, his eyes were still red, he had his trademark smirk plastered on his face.
“How are you feeling, Green Bean?” he asked, laying the clothes on the arm of the couch. Riley stared up at him, wondering if what the others had said was true.
He quickly shook himself off and answered, “You know I hate it when you call me that.”
“Why do think I call you that?” he joked, swallowing when he saw the purple and black bruises forming on Riley's skin. He tore his gaze away and smiled, “How's the patient, guys?”
“He'll be fine. No ranger duties for awhile though. Don't over exhaust yourself.” Kendall told both of them. Tyler was finished with the bandages and fished out some pain killers, shaking a couple into the green ranger's hand. Shelby ran and got him a bottle of water to take them with. Kendall turned to Chase and said nonchalantly, “Chase, why don't you help Riley change into his spare clothes. Koda, Tyler, Shelby, I need you guys to help me with something upstairs.”
Getting the hint, the pink, red, and blue rangers followed their mentor into the elevator, giving the other two some space. Once they had gone, Chase unfolded Riley's spare sweater. It was loose fitting so it wouldn't be constricting on his bruises and bandages. Riley painfully raised his arms in the air, allowing the other boy slowly slide the fabric over him. He let of a sharp yell of pain, making Chase freeze in panic. “Oh God, I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“No, I'm fine. I just moved the wrong way.” Riley assured him, lowering his arms. Chase's eyes were watering again as he shook his head. Riley thought about what the others had told him. If it was true that Chase loved him, he she tell him his own feelings.
“I'm so sorry, Ri. This is my fault. You never would have gotten hurt if I hadn't let my guard down. Please, promise me you'll never do that again. I'm not worth-” Chase was cut off when Riley leapt forward, planting a passionate kiss on his unsuspecting lips. Chase's eyes widened in shock for a moment before drifting shut in pleasure. He held Riley close, being careful to avoid his injuries. One hand cupped the green ranger's face as the kiss ended. The pair's eyes met.
“You are worth it.” Riley whispered, wiping away a stray tear that had slid down Chase's face. The black ranger said no words, pulling the younger boy back into another kiss that said it all.